Diabetes and Heart Disease

A recent study published in the journalDiabetes Caresaid that the death rate of people in the U.S. with diabetes has dropped substantially.Plus, the number of people with diabetes and heart disease has dropped as well, but is still much higher than those who don’t have diabetes.

Facts About Diabetes and Heart Disease

The most common heart problem that diabetes contributes to is atherosclerosis, which is hardening of the arteries. The trouble is that it usually develops silently, long before full-blown diabetes is diagnosed. That’s why I encourage everyone to make regular blood sugar testing a part of your heart health regimen to head off diabetes and heart disease.

Insulin resistance can damage the heart.The reason is that when your body becomes resistant to insulin, it increases inflammation in your entire body, including your heart. So heart disease can actually start during the pre-diabetes stage known as “insulin resistance.” Again, regular blood sugar testing is your best defense.

Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs can cause diabetes. For many years now, we’ve known that statin drug use can contribute to diabetes. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has started requiring statin drug makers to put a diabetes warning on their labels. So, while I do continue to recommend statins for middle-aged men with known coronary artery disease, for most people I feel they're unnecessary and potentially harmful. For more on my cholesterol recommendations, I encourage you to visit my free online Cholesterol Health Center.

A low-carbohydrate diet can help to ward off diabetes and heart disease.High-glycemic foods release glucose into the bloodstream quickly, causing a rapid rise in blood sugar and a subsequent rise in insulin. Instead, I recommend the PAMM diet which includes 45 percent to 50 percent slow-burning, low-glycemic index carbohydrates; 30 percent healthy fats; and 25 percent protein.

If you have a family history of diabetes (whether type 1 or type 2) or if you are overweight, you have a higher propensity for developing insulin resistance. Many with insulin resistance also have high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol levels and high triglycerides, the typical metabolic trio of insulin resistance. So, if you are overweight or have insulin resistance, I encourage you to get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked to help avoid diabetes and heart disease.

Now it’s your turn: Do you have a question about diabetes and heart disease?

DISCLAIMER: The content of DrSinatra.com is offered on an informational basis only, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified health provider before making any adjustment to a medication or treatment you are currently using, and/or starting any new medication or treatment. All recommendations are "generally informational" and not specifically applicable to any individual's medical problems, concerns and/or needs.

Enjoy What You've Just Read?

Get it delivered to your inbox! Signup for E-News and you'll get great content like you've just read along with other great tips and guides from Dr. Sinatra!

Related Articles & Categories

About Dr. Sinatra

Dr. Stephen Sinatra is a highly respected and sought-after cardiologist whose integrative approach to treating cardiovascular disease has revitalized patients with even the most advanced forms of illness. Learn more about Dr. Sinatra

Free E-News

Dr. Sinatra is proud to be part of the Healthy Directions Family

A Higher Standard

When it comes to your health, we hold ourselves accountable to a higher standard. We focus on delivering premium guidance, products and services without compromise. Our doctor-developed formulas, Triple-Testing Philosophy™ and pioneering industry leadership have earned us a 20-year track record of delivering incomparable safety, quality and service. We're proud to be known as the #1 provider of doctor-formulated nutritional supplements and will continue striving to meet your high expectations.

Our Quality Promise

You can always be sure that every single formula has met stringent requirements for both potency and purity—and that we've gone through dozens of quality and safety checks at every point, from raw ingredients to the finished product.